World Tiers Explained: How to Change World Tier Difficulty

World Tier is used to change your difficulty in Diablo 4 (D4). Read on to learn how World Tiers work, how to unlock and change World Tier using World Tier Statues, as well as the differences between each Tier Difficulty!

How to Change World Tiers

Choose World Tier at Character Select Screen

Upon creating your character, you are given the choice of World Tier 1: Adventurer, and World Tier 2: Veteran. Even after selecting one of these, you can change them at the Character Select Screen any time.

Change Anytime at World Tier Statues

Upon reaching Kyovashad, you can also change your World Tier mid-game by interacting with the World Tier Statue north of the waypoint.

Higher Tiers Can Be Unlocked

While only Tiers 1 and 2 are unlocked in the beginning, higher tiers can be unlocked by completing Capstone Dungeons on higher tiers! This means you will have to progress through Tier 2 to unlock Tier 3, and also progress through Tier 3 to get to Tier 4.

How to Unlock More World Tiers

World Tier 1: Adventurer

Unlock Conditions	Recommended Level
Default	1
Difficulty Perks
・Enemies are easier to defeat; good for beginners ・Item drops will be at the standard rate

World Tier 1: Adventurer Difficulty is recommended for people who are new to the Diablo franchise and looter RPGs in general. On this difficulty, enemies won't be too challenging, while still providing a satisfying game and story experience.

World Tier 2: Veteran

Unlock Conditions	Recommended Level
Default	1
Difficulty Perks
・Enemies are a bit tougher compared to Adventurer mode ・You get 20% more XP and 20% more Gold ・Monsters drop 15% more items

World Tier 2: Veteran is recommended for players who have played Diablo or similar games in the past, and are looking for the perfect amount of challenge.

World Tier 3: Nightmare

Unlock Conditions	Recommended Level
Complete Cathedral of Light on Veteran Difficulty (World Tier 2)	50
Difficulty Perks
・Sacred and Unique items now have a chance of dropping ・Nightmare Sigils can drop that unlock Nightmare Dungeons ・Helltides can appear across Sanctuary ・You receive slightly more non-physical damage ・XP gain is doubled ・Powerful champion monsters with an aura now appear

World Tier 3: Nightmare difficulty represents the first step towards the endgame of Diablo 4.

World Tier 4: Torment

Unlock Conditions	Recommended Level
Complete Fallen Temple on Nightmare Difficulty (World Tier 3)	70
Difficulty Perks
・Enemies are more fearsome ・XP gain is more than doubled ・Monsters drop 15% more gold and overcome 40% resistance ・Ancestral and new Unique items can drop ・Obtain better Nightmare Sigils for more difficult dungeon runs

World Tier 4: Torment difficulty is for veterans who are inching closer to the endgame of Diablo 4. This difficulty is basically an improved Nightmare difficulty, with the same perks as World Tier 3 but the numbers have been boosted even further.

What Are World Tiers?

A Measure of Game Difficulty for a Character

World Tiers are a gameplay system in Diablo 4 that increase the difficulty of the game and allow the player to gain even greater and rarer rewards. The higher the World Tier, the greater the player is challenged. There are 5 World Tiers, each with their own challenge level, and bonus rewards.

Tied to Game Progression

Unlike other games, Diablo 4's World Tiers are't simply a means to increase difficulty for the sake of challenging yourself, but are tied to character progression. This means that in order to gain newer and more powerful items, and advance to Diablo 4's endgame, the player must increase the World Tiers.

Can Be Chosen From the Start

Players can choose either Adventurer Difficulty (World Tier 1) or Veteran Difficulty (World Tier 2) when starting the game with a new character.
Should You Choose Adventurer or Veteran?

More Tiers are Unlocked Later On

World Tiers 3, 4, and 5 (Nightmare, Hell, and Torment) will be unlocked later on in the game once you complete certain dungeons. Other means of increasing the difficulty include taking on World Bosses, engaging in PVP, and playing through Endgame Content.

Endgame Content Guide

Diablo 4 Related Guides

Beginner Guides and Best Tips for Getting Started

Tips and Tricks